Joe O'Toole (Independent)

The greatest feature of President Bush's leadership has been the West's deteriorating relationship with the Islamic world. Now that he does not have to face re-election in four years time, we should ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs to use our influence in Europe to encourage him to restore relations and extend a hand of friendship and understanding to the Islamic world. We must recognise that people practising the Muslim faith are being treated like Irish people were in the UK when bombings were taking place there — they are all being tarred with the same brush. We need to see a more subtle and open approach to this matter.

Senator Ulick Burke and I recently stressed the importance of the House debating public private partnerships. The new Minister for Finance would be keen to have the issue discussed. We need to ensure that a political view is brought to bear on the Comptroller and Auditor General's views on public private partnerships, recognising that an auditor or an accountant has a different view of the world than a politician. I ask that this debate be held as soon as possible.

On a similar issue, it will be noted that the coffers of the State are due to increase by approximately €1.9 billion. The former Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, who was a prophet too good to be accepted within his own party and who was exiled to Brussels, should at least get credit for doing what he said he would do, namely, turning around our financial position. Given the appalling state of resources in the health and education services, it would be useful to have a full debate in the House with the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, on how we should spend the money that has been husbanded so well by the former Minister.